On an 03 ,496 engine, will the VIN. number tell the factory built HP.
My friend is looking at a 25 Outlaw 2003, 496, the engine cover is gone, seller says it's a 425 HO. any ways to know for sure,

Thanks

Could if the boat manu still has the build sheets

other ways there should be a sticker on the heat exchanger with what it is and the engine serial # itself. If you are looking at the front of the engine the stick is on the left side of the heat exchanger. All Mercruiser 496 8.1 are closed cooled so it will have a heat exchanger or should. ??? If you have an engine serial number you can have any Merc dealer run it. Next is some states it will list horsepower on the title - Texas does that as well as other states..

Next is the stickers on the PCM it will tell what it is along with the calibration ID

next is scanning the engine with the proper scan tool will tell what it is along with other info, Very easy to find out what it is.

I will tell him to look at the sticker on heat exchanger first if its still there,
Thanks for the info.

It would be wise to scan the engine as well. Especially 496's Most shops charge 75 to 150 to do so.

Like BUP stated earlier, also look on the ECM.

ok, good idea.
Thanks